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How is everyone attaching their trailer safety chain? None of my trailers have hooks that are large enough to fit on the connection points of the factory hitch. I am thinking using a clevis might be a good option but I'm not sure which size is necessary? What has worked for everyone else? My trailers are all less than 6500lbs. I have a F350 with the 6.7 and the 3" receiver.
I just hook them in. Haven’t come across any that don’t fit yet.
Originally Posted by adgjqetuo
This is frustrating with me too - you would have thought he Ford engineers would have though this through more...
Mine fit backwards (facing out) but not forwards (facing in) - not sure if that's an issue or not but that's what i've been doing for now.
That’s the direction they’re supposed to be facing.
Guys with the 3" receiver aren't having the problem with the safety chain hooks not fitting. I've tried a number of different hooks on mine and haven't had one not fit.
Thanks everyone. I like the clevis/shackle or D-ring options the best. Something removeable is important to me.
Me, too. The hammerlocks are nice, but at 2x more expensive than shackles and not removable, I'll take a pass.
5/8 shackles seem to work and can be had for $15-20 on Amazon. 3/4" shackles are hit or miss -- I've read that they barely fit or barely don't fit.
My trailer's hooks just barely fit, so I think I'll sit tight for now. But, the 5/8" shackles may be in my future, if I get too irritated trying to finagle my hooks off the receiver.
Guys with the 3" receiver aren't having the problem with the safety chain hooks not fitting. I've tried a number of different hooks on mine and haven't had one not fit.
The guys with the 3" receiver certainly are having the issue. My travel trailer hooks barely fit. My boat and utility trailer not so much. So I would guess guys with lighter duty trailer that tend to have smaller chains/hooks all have the issue.
Guys with the 3" receiver aren't having the problem with the safety chain hooks not fitting. I've tried a number of different hooks on mine and haven't had one not fit.
I'll agree
I have the 3 inch and haven't had an issue hooking up anything yet. It is just getting the right angle. I struggled at first, my wife came out and hooked trailer right up. Showed me what she did and haven't had a problem since.
I think some overthink this and make it more complicated than it needs to be. All you have to do is change the hooks. Not that hard and cost is minimal (like $20). I've got 3 trailers. My boat and utility trailer had those cheap cheesy bent "S" hooks so yeah those didn't work.
I think some overthink this and make it more complicated than it needs to be. All you have to do is change the hooks. Not that hard and cost is minimal (like $20). I've got 3 trailers. My boat and utility trailer had those cheap cheesy bent "S" hooks so yeah those didn't work.
"All you have to do is change the hooks" IS making it more complicated than it needs to be. Simply screwing on a couple shackles that will accommodate ANY trailer is the easy answer. I have 3 trailers...much easier to add shackles (or hammerlocks)
"All you have to do is change the hooks" IS making it more complicated than it needs to be. Simply screwing on a couple shackles that will accommodate ANY trailer is the easy answer. I have 3 trailers...much easier to add shackles (or hammerlocks)
I went with 2x quick links with a WLL of something like 3240lbs so I should be more than good, but I like some of these other options. The chains clip to those just fine, and the emergency brake wire fits just perfectly into a hole just inside the chain hook slot, so no changes were needed there.
I think some overthink this and make it more complicated than it needs to be. All you have to do is change the hooks. Not that hard and cost is minimal (like $20). I've got 3 trailers. My boat and utility trailer had those cheap cheesy bent "S" hooks so yeah those didn't work.
Yeah, I dislike this type of answer. I have 4 trailers that I use, two that I borrow from family, and have rented equipment with trailers several times this past year. While modifying my own trailers is an option, modifying other trailers to fit my truck is not. Hammerlocks work with everything for the price of two trailer modifications.
That’s the direction they’re supposed to be facing.
This is correct. The opening of your tow hook should face the hitch, not away from it. If you're putting them in the other way you're not putting them in right.
IF they won't fit, then there are PLENTY of options on how to make it work. My biggest problem is that some chains aren't long enough.
I went with 2x quick links with a WLL of something like 3240lbs so I should be more than good, but I like some of these other options. The chains clip to those just fine, and the emergency brake wire fits just perfectly into a hole just inside the chain hook slot, so no changes were needed there.
You may already know this, the breakaway cable I believe is required to be hitched to the truck, not the hitch. I say this not because I care what others do but to let you know.
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Simply screwing on a couple shackles that will accommodate ANY trailer is the easy answer. I have 3 trailers...much easier to add shackles (or hammerlocks)
